Video: Ind. cop strikes K-9 multiple times, placed on leave

A K-9 officer has been placed on administrative leave after a video capturing him striking his K-9 and lifting him by the leash was posted to YouTube

By PoliceOne Staff

HAMMOND, Ind. — A K-9 officer has been placed on administrative leave after a video capturing him striking his K-9 and lifting him by the leash was posted to YouTube.

According to NBC Chicago, the video surfaced Wednesday. In it, the officer strikes the K-9 multiple times and appears to swing him in the air after lifting him by his collar.

A Hammond Police spokesman said, "At this time, the department has observed behavior by the K-9 handler that appears to be inconsistent with acceptable training guidelines."

The town’s mayor also offered a statement, calling the incident “shocking and disturbing,” but stressed that the Hammond Police Department “does not condone that type of behavior,” according to the report.